Friday, March 03, 2006

Resting on my Laurels

I apologize if sixty thousand Weekend Herb Bloggers have already used this title.This week I made a couple of things with bay leaves.For a long time I resisted cooking with laurel or bay leaves.The whole point seemed to elude me.I began to see reason when I started preparing beans frequently. The real turning point came when I started combining them with fruit, as I do in this tsimes.

I slice the carrots diagonally because I think the ovals look prettier with the shape of the prunes than plain circles.The slices are about 3/16” thick, or just shy of a quarter-inch (0.5 cm)

Lost and found Tsimes

Pitted prunes, equal to 2/3 the volume of the carrots (they will expand)Tea (you may use water)OilOne large onion, cut into medium diceSix slender carrots, about one pound, sliced into thin ovals1 or 2 bay leaves2 chile pods1 lemon, cut into slices or wedges

Put the prunes into tea to cover and allow them to begin soaking as you prepare the recipe.

Heat oil in a large skillet.Use a larger skillet than you think you need so that everything can caramelize evenly.Add diced onions, lower heat and cook for several minutes.When the onions are about halfway there (light gold) add the sliced carrots, chile pods and bay leaves.Continue to cook and stir several minutes more or until onions are deep nut-brown and carrots are taking a bit of color.Add the prunes and tea and a bit of salt, and raise heat somewhat. Allow the tsimes to cook, stirring occasionally until the tea is absorbed and the carrots are done.Taste for salt and possibly a little sugar.Put the lemon wedges or slices in the pan just long enough before serving to warm them up.So pretty.

6 Comments:

Ah yes, tomatoes. The other thing I made with bay leaves was a white bean and tomato soup with bay leaves and lots of garlic. It was very nice, but I have been too busy to write up the recipe, and I guess everybody knows my soup-template by now.

How interesting, I never tried bay leaves with fruit. I use them very little actually despite the fact I can get them fresh from a tree right next to my garden and the silly thing is that i LIKE it! So now you are guilty of having put me on the bay leaf quest!

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In Mol Araan: A blog about food and words in Yiddish and English including but not limited to cooking, recipes, culinary lexicography, delights and curiosities of the plant world, and cookbooks [Scroll down for English content] email: inmolaraan at gmail dot com